Pens stem from visit to Somme

CHARITABLE Army cadets have teamed up with a woodturning society to make pens from hardwood cleared from French war memorials.

Each year, cadets at Rossett visit the Picardy region of France as part of commemorations for the battle of the Somme.

In clearing undergrowth from around memorials and historical artifacts – including the Lochnagar Crater, a 300ft diameter and 70ft deep crater caused by the demolition of an explosive-packed mine – the cadets collected pieces of high-quality hardwood.

Some of these have been brought back home and, with the help of the Cheshire and North Wales Woodturning Association(CNWWA), have been turned into five pens. The cadets are now in discussion with Richie Southerton, Brian Davies, Mike Evans and Paul Williams from the CNWWA with a view to producing more, as well as other items such as letter-openers.

Colour Sargeant Owen Peters and his brother, Corporal Kane Peters, both of Rossett Cadets, went to accept the first delivery of the pens.

Richie Southerton, chairman of CNWWA, said: “The Woodturning Association are grateful for the opportunity to demonstrate their skills using genuine wood from the Somme battleground in order to make a selection of items, such as pens and letter-openers, in remembrance of the soldiers who fought there, many of them not making it home.”

Ian Bewley, of Rossett Cadets, said: “Rossett Army Cadets are indebted to CNWWA for their skills and enthusiasm in helping create a number of items which will no doubt serve to keep the memory of the many soldiers at the forefront of peoples’ minds, not only throughout the upcoming centenary commemorative events, but for many years into the future.”